The entrepreneur identity assimilation process: It's not all work and no play

We develop a comprehensive entrepreneur identity assimilation process model by drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 employees who completed the process and 12 employees who initiated but did not complete it. Extending identity process and identity-play theories, we uncover the mechanisms of daydream-play and substantive play undertaken in phases of broad, focused and specific exploration leading to identity assimilation. Extending prior knowledge of possible selves, we also find that the dynamic pairing of undesirable employee possible self and aspirational entrepreneur possible self builds commitment to entrepreneur identity assimilation over time. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.